Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Will Lakeland schools soon share campuses with charter operators or not?

Make time for The Ultimate Doors - Doors Tribute on the Lakeland Patch calendar

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Saturday December 13th Patch AM
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Hello again Lakeland! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will Lakeland schools soon share campuses with charter operators or not?
  • How much more could Lakeland homeowners soon pay for stormwater fixes?
  • How one Lakeland toddler’s rare diagnosis is uniting the community

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles and 2 more events.

Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Partly sunny and nice, with a high of 78 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 80, low: 52.
  • Monday: Not as warm, with a high of 68 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Polk school district denies 3 charter companies' demands to use schools (theledger.com) — Polk County Public Schools has rejected charter operators’ bids to share space at several campuses, including multiple elementary and middle schools in Lakeland. The superintendent says most requests don’t meet Florida’s Schools of Hope rules or would strain capacity, and the School Board will revisit the issue and possible legislative action at a January retreat that could shape future use of local school buildings.
   

2. Lakeland considers big hike in stormwater fees to fund $69M in projects (theledger.com) — Lakeland leaders are weighing a major increase in stormwater utility fees that could nearly double what homeowners pay and sharply raise costs for businesses to tackle $69 million in drainage and lake-quality projects. Officials say stricter state mandates and growing flooding issues leave only about $700,000 a year for improvements, so the higher fees and a new calculation method are designed to fund work over the next 10–15 years.
   

3. Mother of Lakeland toddler with rare genetic disorder hopes intensive therapy could help her son (wfla.com) — A Lakeland mom is urgently fundraising so her 2-year-old son Keegan, who has ultra-rare Snyder-Robinson syndrome and severe epilepsy, can attend intensive therapy in North Carolina and continue treatment back home. The specialized program could help connect his brain and muscles, potentially giving him more independence. Neighbors are being asked to share his story and support the family’s $14,000 goal.
   

4. This Day in Top 40 History: December 12 (kiss951.com) — Lakeland gets a notable mention in Top 40 history for Dec. 12: in 1976, KISS guitarist Ace Frehley was nearly electrocuted during a show at the Lakeland Civic Center, inspiring the song “Shock Me.” The feature also revisits Frank Sinatra’s birthday, major album releases, and other music milestones tied to this date.
   

📸 Around Lakeland

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Former Florida Tile employees
    Looking for former Florida Tile maintenance workers in the Lakeland plant, between 1983-2000. Contact Brittney Fries @ 813.230.7702 or bfries... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • LOST DOGS ALERT!!!
    They’ve been missing since this morning December 11, 2025 Lakeland, Fl 33805 near Brunnell Pkwy. If you see them please contact (863)838-0323 (Nextdoor South Lake Bonnet)
  • LOST DOG!!
    On Forestbrook drive I spotted a golden retriever, looked to be younger but fully grown and was covered in mud. We tried to call it over but it was… (Nextdoor Forest)
  • IDEA Public Schools posted a job opening for Custodian - IDEA Lakeland (Immediate Opening) in Lakeland. Apply here.
  • Snipes posted a job opening for Stock Personnel in Lakeland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakeland here.

Ok Lakeland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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